What type of curtains/blinds/shades can I use here, and here and here?

4 years ago

Hello All,

I have thick molding around my windows and I would like to eventually get pretty curtains. But I also need shades or maybe silhouette blinds for privacy. In my dining room the molding almost reaches the ceiling. Should I only use silhouettes since there is no room above the window? I really wanted to dress it up with curtains.

And, here in my living room there are high ceilings, but I still want some kind of shade and a curtain. What do you suggest that goes together with a silhouette? Or would a silhouette be the wrong choice?

And, My sliding door to the yard also needs a shade, but I don't know which kind would work. Should I attach a silhouette to the ceiling? Is there something else that would look better? Thank you so much!

Should I use decorative roman shades in Dining room instead of both a curtain and shade?

Northshore Lake Front Estate · More Info

I don't have furniture yet, but I need blinds/shades ASAP

Featured Answer

DLM2000-GW

4 years ago

Wow, that was a harsh response. Does it matter who designed/built this house? Keep in mind this is someone's home and by the few pictures shown I'm betting their dream home.

mjammjam since window treatments are quite expensive and should be thought out, I'd go to Lowe's/Home Depot and grab the temporary paper shades for the windows where you need the most privacy. It will buy you some time while you figure this out.

I think in your dining room you could still use curtains but the rod would have to be centered in that small strip of wall between moldings. You'd want the curtains hug wide to the sides so that when open they just meet the side moldings so your trim shows. I'm assuming you don't want to cover it up. But certainly you could use decorative Roman shades - that would be lovely, too. Your slider is very tricky and I think any type of shade is going to be problematic from a convenience standpoint. What comes to my mind is a curtain (would have to be hung from the ceiling I believe) that draws to the right over the stationary part of the door. When fully open it will still cover some of that glass but I can't see a way to avoid that. Then something simple with a slim profile hung as an inset mount on the side windows - it appears there is room for something like a cellular. Not sure if silhouettes have a slim enough profile. Same with your LR windows. Not sure what the last picture is about.

Think this through - if you don't have furniture yet, whatever you choose for your windows will drive what you do there especially if you choose fabric roman shades or curtains with color and pattern.

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Comments (10)

smileythecat
4 years ago
Call a pro, jc penny would be a good start, you have got challenges to say the least with that trim and those windows that have zero sill depth. All blinds or shades will have to be an outside bracket which will cover that trim when closed. I have absolutely no idea what to do with the door/slider. Whoever designed, built this house gave no thought to window coverings. Get some in house consultation asap.
mjammjam thanked smileythecat
mjammjam
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you -- I am waiting to hear from someone now about my options.

This is the sill depth: Almost 3"

These windows were here when we moved in...
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jck910
4 years ago
Agree with DLM200-GW about getting the paper shades for now. You do not want to rush the window treatment decision especially without furniture. You would be best served to find an interior designer to help you. It will be cost effective rather than making the wrong decisions.

smileythecat makes an excellent point about the way the windows were installed. DR too close to crown molding; LR into baseboard and slider/windows missing upper trim. It is lovely trim and it would be a shame to cover it after all the money it cost.

Good luck, patience is a virtue.
mjammjam thanked jck910
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
4 years ago
These windows will require some thought so I agree some paper shades ideally with a tension install to not damage any thing. Then go to a good drapery store to get some help.I honestly don’t see the need for privacy in a DR or in fact any of your spaces except for a bedroom so maybe the answer is no window coverings.
mjammjam thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
mjammjam
Original Author
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Thank you all,

I've been using paper shades for a year now, and most of the glue is still stuck on the window frame the paint was peeled off in many areas.

I can't afford furniture yet, but either way I want a shade and then a decorative curtain if I can. My living room and dining room windows face the front of my house so I need blinds. And I also need shade from the sun in all areas too. This is my spare room where my family hangs sheets on the windows before going to sleep:

I have a designer who I use who recommended wood blinds, but I don't like them.

I thought that white silhouettes would be neutral and I could add curtains later when I get LR and DR furniture.

Do you think that would be OK?
iheartsix
4 years ago
Oh my, beautiful windows!!!!!!
mjammjam thanked iheartsix
Tracey Woods
4 years ago
Keep looking on line for inspiration. Agree with pp, get a few people out to your house to give you some ideas and consider pros/cons of each solution. Trade offs. I always like top down options for my bedroom but that means no ability to louvre. I like the silhouettes but they can be bug catchers and have to be fully down before you can operate the louvre. Just think about the purpose of each and how you will use them every day.
mjammjam thanked Tracey Woods
Tracey Woods
4 years ago
Should add..sounds like the bedroom is the first priority to get out of hanging up a sheet! Start there, add a pretty curtain you can pull closed ever night, maybe a double rod w a sheer and a blackout. don’t get overwhelmed with the all of the other windows.
mjammjam
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you,

Yes I'd prefer the option of opening the blinds while keeping them down for the breeze to flow through an open window. I'll keep searching...